The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a
measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by
consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services. Each
month, BLS data collectors called economic assistants visit or call
thousands of retail stores, service establishments, rental units,
and doctors' offices, all over the United States to obtain
information on the prices of the thousands of items used to track
and measure price changes in the CPI. The collection of price data
from rental units is essential for the timely and accurate
calculation of the shelter component of the CPI. The CPI is then
widely used as a measure of inflation, indicator of the
effectiveness of government economic policy, deflator for other
economic series and as a means of adjusting dollar values.
US Code:
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USC 1&2 Name of Law: Design and Duties of the BLS
Factors which contributed to
the decrease in estimated burden hours for FY2016-2018 compared
with FY2013-2015 are the following: • The target sample size is
being reduced from 50,000 rental units to 43,000 units during
FY2018. • The entire samples in 19 Primary Sampling Units (PSUs)
are being dropped during FY2018. • For the 19 PSUs being dropped
during FY2018, ongoing screening and initiation of new samples is
ending in FY2015. • For 9 additional PSUs that will be dropped
during FY2019, ongoing screening and initiation of new samples will
be ending during FY2016. One factor increasing estimated burden
hours is the need to screen and initiate entire new samples for 18
PSUs which are being added to the area sample. Screening and
initiation will start for 6 new PSUs each year for FYs 2016-2018.
These new PSUs will used in CPI calculations starting in FY2018,
FY2019, and FY2020 respectively.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.